It's that time of the year again when in the run up to the festive season we can reflect on the activities of the past year which for most will probably go down in recent memory as a year of immense hard work and little play.
A dominant feature has been the preparation involved to apply for long term rights. So much for the promised easy application process if the collective scoffs at the files that have had to be compiled and the information that has had to be gathered, are anything to go by!
Again, the collective sighs of relief (or remorse) at finally having lodged applications for long term rights in the various fishing sectors, have been replaced by angst about who will get and who won't. As the Minister has said before there is not enough fish in the sea to give to everybody and it won't be until at least February (or later) that a clear picture will emerge. Despite this there have been a few companies that have optimistically opened their doors, but there have also been many more that have, or are planning, to consolidate their activities, or close.
So what happens now? While there is always plenty of news to be had in the industry and many promises of some juicy stories to follow up in the New Year, Fishing Industry News SA will from this issue be including a fixed supplement about the fish processing industry in the southern African region. This means anything to do with processing plants, certification, cleaning products, equipment, refrigeration, laboratories, legislation, quality assurance, packaging, storage, imports and exports, training, etc. Contributions are most welcome and you are invited to submit these to me at trachandler@telkomsa.net
Also in this issue we bring you an update on the marine court of enquiry into the Lindsay tragedy. This got underway at the end of October and there have been some interesting developments. It is however expected to take several months before conclusions are reached but initial indications are that there is more litigation to follow.
Readers will be glad to know that the Department is working to strengthen marine science but it's not going to happen overnight. Interesting it concedes that it will (in the short term) be hard pressed to diminish its "reliance on mature males from the previously advantaged sector" currently in the organisation, but the Department is rising to the challenge with the assistance of local and international partners.
In conclusion, as the year draws to a close we ask that you spare a thought for all those families and friends that have been affected by the tragedies that have taken place at sea and on land this year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our readers, advertisers and contributors for their support and we wish you all a pleasant and safe festive season.

 

Editor

Cover Story

The Sea Harvest Marine cadets are in their third year of study - two of them are being trained to be Chief Engineers while the other three are being trained to be skippers. The objective of Sea Harvest 's four year cadet programme is to expose matrics from previously disadvantaged communities to the marine industry.
The Sea Harvest cadets have performed extremely well in their mid-year exams with the three deck cadets receiving four, seven and eight distinctions respectively.
Due to the success of this programme Sea Harvest is currently recruiting another group of cadets as part of the company's commitment to developing skills of future leaders.